“This is a time of monumental change in health systems across the United States. With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010, referred to as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), an additional 41 million Americans will gain access to health care and the financing, organization, and delivery of health services, including mental health and substance use services, will be revolutionized. Activities are underway to implement provisions of the ACA in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as at the federal level. As states and federal agencies plan and implement the ACA, particular attention must focus on how mental health and substance use services (collectively referred as “behavioral health” services in this Issue Brief) will be covered and provided and, in particular, how the needs of children with serious behavioral health challenges and their families will be met.”
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